Listen to last week’s sermon Living a Life that is ‘All In’ for God.

Last week’s sermon was initially planned to focus on the power of praise and its importance in our lives, especially in our spiritual journey with God. However, the sermon shared revolved around the concept of being “all in” for God, emphasizing the need for consecration, unwavering commitment, and wholehearted devotion to our God.

What does it mean to be all in for God?

1. Trusting God with Your Life.

Trusting God with your life is a fundamental aspect of being ‘all in’ for God, as highlighted by Pastor Eric. It forms the bedrock of a genuine and unwavering commitment to our God. Pastor Eric’s message emphasized that this trust should be wholehearted, mirroring the dedication seen in other areas of life, such as sports, business, and even poker.

Confidence in God’s Plan.

The message stressed that being ‘all in’ for God means placing our confidence in His divine plan for our lives. Just as a sports team or a business dedicates itself to winning and performing at its best, we, as believers, dedicate ourselves to trusting that God’s plan is the best path for us. This involves relinquishing our control and accepting that God’s ways are higher and wiser than our own.

Read: Proverbs 3:5-6.

Pastor Eric referenced Proverbs 3:5-6 to support the importance of trust. These verses remind us to trust the Lord with all our heart and not rely solely on our limited understanding. Trusting God wholeheartedly implies that we acknowledge His wisdom and sovereignty in our lives, even when we don’t fully comprehend His plans. It’s a surrender of our will to His, believing that He will guide us on the right path.

Illustration of Charles Blondin.

The sermon utilized the story of Charles Blondin, the daredevil who crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope, to illustrate the concept of trust. Just as Blondin had unwavering trust in his tightrope-walking abilities, being ‘all in’ for God involves placing our trust in Him, knowing that He is the source of victory and triumph in our lives. This trust goes beyond our circumstances and challenges, as we believe that God will carry us through.

Trusting with Questions.

The sermon acknowledged that we may have questions and uncertainties in life. However, being ‘all in’ for God means choosing to trust Him even in the midst of those questions. It’s an acknowledgment that our understanding is limited, and God’s plan often surpasses our comprehension. Trusting God doesn’t mean having all the answers but rather having faith that He is in control, even when things seem unclear.

2. God as the Most Important Person in Your Life.

Pastor Eric continued by stressing the need for God to be the most important person in our lives. God desires exclusivity in our relationship with Him, as He is a jealous God. The first commandment emphasizes loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. A biblical example was cited where a rich young ruler’s attachment to his wealth hindered him from following Jesus’ call to give up everything. This illustrated the importance of prioritizing God over material possessions or any idols. The message highlighted the difference between loving money and loving God, emphasizing that it’s the love of money that leads to problems. Pastor Eric encouraged us to find our greatest pleasure and satisfaction in the Lord.

3. The Word of God as Your North Star.

The sermon concluded by discussing the significance of the Word of God in being “all in” for God. Just as the North Star has historically guided travelers through darkness, the Word of God serves as our source of direction and guidance. Living by the Word of God ensures stability in the face of life’s storms. He then cited Matthew 7:24-25, where Jesus compared a wise man who built his house on the rock (God’s Word) to someone who built it on sand (worldly values). The sermon emphasized the importance of cherishing and obeying the Word of God.

The sermon’s core message was an invitation to be “all in” for God, which involves trusting Him with our lives, prioritizing Him above all else, and making His Word the foundation of our decisions and beliefs. Pastor Eric encouraged the congregation to examine their hearts and make a sincere commitment to God. The sermon concluded with a benediction from Jude 1:24-25, reminding us of God’s ability to keep us from stumbling and presenting us faultless before His glorious presence.

Watch sermon here: